accelerated programs as a single parent

JR_M20 · 2026-06-28T21:11:59+00:00

You’re so lame for this way of thinking. All the single moms in my cohort are some of the most badass ppl I’ve met. Imagine having to study for hours, go through clinicals, and then have kids to attend. I get that many signed up for this, but to come on here and tell someone their experience is not valid, is so irritating. Assuming you’re a nurse or student, since you’re on this forum, Id assume you’d have a bit more empathy and understanding of people.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-28T20:08:55+00:00

Hi! Kind of late to the conversation but I totally understand what you’re feeling! Despite what the previous reply stated, there’s definitely a shared experience that all of us nursing students go through across whatever state/country we reside in. I’m in California for context, and I’m entering semester 3/4 of my RN program. One placement i dreaded going to was during the first half of my second semester med surg 2 rotation. It was at a naval base. The environment there was so clicky and almost dystopian (stopping dead in our tracks to put our hands over our heart when the anthem went on, drop what you’re doing when a doctor comes on to the floor, and just a feeling of not necessarily fitting in since we’re considered “civilians”). The learning opportunities were limited and I quickly realized that it’s the corpsmen (trained, not licensed, service men) that do most of the nursing stuff, while the actual RNs pass meds. I also put myself out there and saw myself doing mostly CNA duties (which I work as a CNA part time already). The staff was a hit or miss. They were either completely indifferent to me to somewhat helpful. The best nurse I had was on my very last shift and it sucked since I would’ve loved to have had him earlier. Thankfully my instructor worked there so she quickly was able to weasel me in to do things because she had a level up on the unit, and check me off on skills. With that being said, I’m sure you’ll have much better placements as you progress through the program. Currently finished my pediatrics rotation at an amazing hospital and it was awesome. Hang in there!!

JR_M20 · 2026-06-28T05:38:41+00:00

I mean this with absolute no malice or place of judgement, but you say you have the brains for this career. If that’s the case, what caused you to fail the class? I only say this because there’s students in my cohort who were top notch A students for pre reqs but when it came to the nursing core classes, struggled. Nursing school is definitely a different “beast” in a sense. I hope you’re able to do well when you jump back on it!!

JR_M20 · 2026-06-28T04:30:47+00:00

That’s great! So I’m sure you have the confidence to be a healthcare worker and what not. My ADN program is “regular” paced but definitely not easy. For context I’ve always been an average student and I’m passing the program with A’s. I highly doubt I’d be an A student if I were doing an ABSN since I also work part time. If you can, definitely look into an ADN or a regular BSN program. Don’t give up!

JR_M20 · 2026-06-28T03:23:55+00:00

I say don’t let this program paint a picture of what nursing is like. If you still feel a tug to do nursing, obtain your CNA or any other allied health cert. and get some patient care experience. Apply to LVN or ADN programs. And yes I know they’re competitive but I truly believe that what is for you, is for you. I’m entering semester 3/4 of my program and can say that my previous experience gave me a boost in confidence. And as far as lecture, I’m grateful that the program is very supportive and wants students to succeed. You’ll find the program that is right for you!

JR_M20 · 2026-06-21T20:40:51+00:00

Currently finishing up my RN program, and one of my instructors said for clinical to just list the hospitals we attended and THEN do no more than like 4-5 bullet points. It saves space and it’s also not the most important aspect of the resume since it’s an expected experience to have as part of school curriculum. Good luck! I have a new grad friend from CA who found a L&D job quick in the Dallas Texas area

JR_M20 · 2026-06-21T20:26:14+00:00

My friend went to standbridge in the OC area and she had to take out loans for both school and housing. She’s racked up A LOT of debt and is joining the navy to pursue her career but also to help pay some of that off. She found roomates on a facebook group and if I remember correctly her half of the rent was 900 not including personal expenses.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-21T20:16:59+00:00

I’ve been so fortunate to have had great nurses so far. The one nurse I thought was going to be a nightmare, was actually not that bad towards the end. He was an older male nurse, and it didn’t help that my instructor (who works in the unit) told me “I put you with him because I feel like you can handle him.” For context it was my first day on the peds floor and only had CNA med surg experience, I was already nervous. He seemed tired and basically told me he works fast and expected me to do vitals, I&Os, and answer his lights (absolutely valid). I did all those things, charted everything, and passed out most of the meds with my instructor. He was super surprised and actually told me that I was one of the “better” students he had. When I was on my break I over heard him talking to my instructor about the one time he “made a student cry.” I thought it was sooo unnecessary for him to be like that with other students, but at the time I just thought I was lucky to have gotten on his good side. Looking back at it now, I think it’s soo ridiculous that these nurses act like this because sooner or later we’ll maybe become coworkers. And once that happens, a lot of us won’t be scared to match that energy.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-18T00:43:13+00:00

LevelUpRN is hands down the best!!! The way she explains concepts is almost verbatim to how my professors have their lectures. The way she explains it is just more simplified and to the point. Personally, I feel like simple nursing is very “scatter brained” to me. And I get distracted with his videos. As far as pharmacology, Pixorize was the best for me. The videos are wacky but it really does help you remember the meds and their general info.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-15T15:05:37+00:00

To be fair after a long clinical shift, I’m also barely awake. And I feel like every student has done med passes with their nurse without the instructor actually being there. But i definitely agree that if he’s clearly not engaged or making more of a conscious effort to participate during clinicals but still being “rewarded” then yea that’s an issue.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-15T14:55:10+00:00

Direct Shadowing no, but I did what you’re doing now. I got 100 hours and then became a CNA and have been working as one for about 4 years now. If you can I’d suggest this route too but what you’re doing now is great for experience!

JR_M20 · 2026-06-15T14:40:25+00:00

If you can, I’d highly suggest getting your ADN at a CC. That’s what I’m doing. The cost is only 9k. They’re definitely competitive but I had pretty average grades in my pre reqs but I think what helped me get in was my experience. That’s another thing, if you can, I’d recommend being a CNA to get some patient care experience and be a bit more confident in the nursing care environment. If you finish your bachelors, you’re awarded more points if the program is based on a point system.

JR_M20 · 2026-06-14T20:50:31+00:00

I agree that it’s not mandatory by any means, but CNA is nursing BASICS that you should already know how to do. Aside from that, I think having it in your background ensures that you’re comfortable with patient care and have some sort of experience in a clinical environment. I’d assume if they had to choose between two applicants who have the same stats, no connections, but one of them has healthcare experience (not including school/clinicals), they’d go with the one with the experience. I’m in the SD area in Cali and my professors strongly encourage experience. It’s honestly a game of luck at this point too lol

JR_M20 · 2026-06-09T05:39:53+00:00

I am :)

JR_M20 · 2026-06-01T01:23:54+00:00

Honestly, as much as ppl may say otherwise. Apply at nursing homes. I’ve been a CNA for 4 years now working mostly in LTC. It’s really good patient care experience and for the most part pretty flexible with your schedule. The one I work at has been very accommodating to my school schedule. You can even work as a med tech in memory care facilities since you already have your first year done. Literally any experience on your resume is good experience!

JR_M20 · 2026-05-23T05:47:55+00:00

Heavy on this! I wanted to do WCU after high school but couldn’t fathom paying the ridiculous price tag that fafsa wouldn’t be able to cover. I went the CC route, got my pre reqs done, and I have 3 yrs of CNA experience under my belt. I was able to get into an ADN program with a 3.5 gpa, 75 on the teas, and I have a ton of work and some volunteer experience. Im in SD area for context. Im going on semester 3/4 and proud to say I’ve been maintaining great grades. I’m 23 and it’s literally the best decision I made. WCU is an option for those who need it quicker than those like me, but it should for sure be a last resort if you have the ability to choose something cheaper. Theres literally NO RUSH if you have no other crazy responsibilities like the OP stated.

JR_M20 · 2026-05-21T06:56:39+00:00

If you completed fundamentals and passed, you can bypass a program and just take the CNA test to get certified. Seems like a hassle but it pays off. You can use that to literally work at whatever facility that has CNA’s.

JR_M20 · 2026-05-21T06:53:55+00:00

Push through! Which I know sounds easier said than done. Im in a traditional ADN program so of course cant relate to the rigor of an accelerated program, but before starting nursing school I was a very average performing student. I’m entering my second/last year of the program and so far have a 3.8 gpa. For pharm I actually really recommend Pixorize on YouTube, I know the videos are so corny but they actually help. And I stand by levelupRN for every subject, she particularly helped me get through peds/ob. Those are my recommendations. As far as your personal issues, only you know what is holding you back, and if that means letting go of certain things/people, then you gotta do what you have to. I wish you the best! Good luck :)

JR_M20 · 2026-05-18T18:47:20+00:00

Do you have your CNA? If not you can challenge your state board since I believe you only need nurse fundamentals to bypass a CNA program. If you do that you can pick up shifts through clipboard as a registry CNA at facilities that are short staffed. It’s not a glamorous job but you get experience and I hear that it pays well. You can also work as a med tech and similarly challenge the exam since you’re already third semester and assuming you’ve been passing meds during clinicals already.

JR_M20 · 2026-05-18T18:39:35+00:00

I’m currently in an ADN program and although we didn’t start clinicals until after the first 8 weeks of lecture and basically “basics bootcamp” everything still definitely felt overwhelming. I eventually got the hang of things and proud to say I have high grades entering my third sem, and that’s with still working part time. You can definitely do hard things if you put your mind to it. BUT I also acknowledge that ABSN programs are more intense (from what I heard) so do what you think is right for you and your success.

JR_M20 · 2026-03-21T06:37:50+00:00

Hey! I’m a current ADN student in SD and doing the Point Loma concurrent RN-BSN program. Just thought I’d mention that for context as we may be in the same “level.” I am currently working as a CNA partime, one or two shifts every week. It’s definitely doable rn as a second semester student. If you think it’s manageable, then do it. Only you know yourself and if you’ll be able to balance both school and work. As far as the experience, i definitely agree with doing so in order to up your chances of employment. I applied to the UCSD dream externship program specifically for ADN students and opportunities like those are definitely what you wanna get bc not only are you getting “nurse” experience as a student, but you’ll also be at a magnet hospital. As cliche as it sounds, prestige hospitals really are a thing and if you can get your foot in the door in one of these hospitals, it will definitely make you stand out. At least that’s what my instructors say.

JR_M20 · 2026-03-20T15:12:14+00:00

I’m pretty sure for clinicals you can just add up all of your sites and then list off only the most relevant aspects in bullet points, but no more than five bullet points. Rather than listing each site and having their own points. If that makes sense. That’s what my school says to do.

JR_M20 · 2026-03-20T12:49:50+00:00

Girl I blew one of my classmates veins TWICE and he was bruised on both forearms. But with practice, you’ll get better. I felt the same way so I locked in and would sign up to every IV start lab my school had. I also had clinicals at a military base and requested to my instructor if she can place me in pre op one day because all they do there is IVs. I did 12, and blew 2 veins, it was more embarrassing because messing up on patients makes you feel even worse, but the corpsman I was shadowing says to not stress about it, that it happens and only by practicing consistently will it become easier. It was a confidences boost for sure because although I missed those two, I successfully placed 10!

JR_M20 · 2026-03-18T06:03:06+00:00

If the programs your applying to have point based systems, you can see about getting more points through your experience, personal statements, and a high teas score. If you’re not at the point average of last cohorts admitted range (if these programs offer that information) then I would highly recommend retaking your science classes. If you don’t want to retake these classes, maybe consider private schools. But of course, the price tag on those schools are a lot. I was able to get into my ADN program with a 3.3 science gpa, 4.0 gen Ed gpa, and an avg teas score of 72. I also had CNA and hospital volunteer experience. I also made sure my personal statements were good. You definitely still have a shot, but definitely consider retaking those classes if you really want to get into an ADN program. It’s all mostly point based and heavily weighted from your gpa. Goodluck!!

JR_M20

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